Basics- 

What is a smart card?
A smart card is a card that has either a memory chip or a powerful microprocessor chip that stores data and can run small computer applications. There are many configurations of smart card microprocessors and very few standards are established at this point. The two primary smart card technologies are contact and contactless. Contact technology has a chip that is inlaid on the surface of the card and makes direct contact with the read head. Contactless technology is embedded within the card using radio frequency to communicate.

What is the technology used in contactless smart card?
MiFare is the industry standard. Although there are other contactless technologies, MiFare is the standard.

How does the reader read a MiFare card?
A credit card size MiFare smart card is passed within one inch over a reader. Information (site code and card number) is read from the card within a few milliseconds.

What happens if two MiFare smart cards are presented to the reader at the same time?
The reader can handle several cards located in the read zone at the same time. In this case, the cards are treated separately. This is guaranteed by anticollision protection that effectively prevents replay of messages between reader and card.

What makes MiFare technology so secure?
In order for a MiFare smart card to work in an AIC physical access system, it must first be personalized with a unique security key programmed only by the factory. Also, security is integrated in the applications on the card, in which code-sets can be defined for various memory areas. A memory area X can only be accessed with code-set X, while memory area Y can only be accessed with code-set Y. In other words, authorized security personnel can only have access to security data and payroll can only have access to the time and attendance data that is on the card, each application having their own code-sets.

Can we use a contact smart card for physical access control?
It is possible. Current contact smart card readers are insertion, much like the old magnetic stripe and wiegand readers. MiFare is very similar to proximity reader technology where the card is passed over a reader within a distance of 1 inch. So the first decision is whether you want insertion-free physical access (contactless) or not. The current contact readers being sold today have been designed to be used in protected environments inside buildings, so the life cycle when used outside is a concern. Furthermore, contact technology may require more time to read the card, seconds versus milliseconds for contactless.There are no standards for contact chip cards between smart card manufacturers. One manufacturer may have 15-20 different chip configurations. So the problem here is finding a reader that meets the standards for physical access, and can also work with a specified contact smart card. As contact technology advances, these concerns are being addressed. 

We want to print photo ID information on the smart card Are there any differences when using a smart card versus a standard PVC card?
If you are printing text on the card, and not personalizing or placing data on the smart card chip, there are few differences when printing to a standard PVC card versus one that is equipped with a smart card chip. The only difference is when printing on a contact chip smart card, nothing can be printed or overlaid over the contact chip surface.

Does AIC sell contactless and combo contactless/contact smart cards?
Yes. However, AIC will only provide smart cards for projects requiring physical access control where the cards are not being provided by another application or Strategic Alliance vendor. In most cases, we will not sell cards. AIC will have the factory personalize the smart cards at the factory whether we sell them or not. If a current user of smart cards requests a competitive quote, as a rule, we are not in a position to provide pricing other than the Schlumberger smart cards already published on our price list. AIC does not carry an inventory of smart cards.

What is the minimum order?
100 cards

Does AIC sell contactless smart cards?
No. At this time, we offer only a combo card; contact/contactless smart cards.